By: Kaitlyn Boisvert- Co-Editor-in-Chief
Media Credit: Faith Krevis
October. The word often conjures images of houses decked out in spooky decorations, candy sales lining the shelves of mainstream grocery stores, and children in costumes traversing the streets on a quest for treats. October, after all, is the month of Halloween, and so much of the month is building up to the exciting, beloved holiday that encourages a fun, temporary change in people’s lives.
Yet there is another tradition in October that goes beyond candy and dressing as a ghoul. This tradition calls for people to wear pink and recognize an important cause that extends far beyond than just one day in the year. This tradition is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the Breast Cancer Awareness Month website, October has been the designated month for Breast Cancer Awareness for more than two decades. It is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services.
The tradition has greatly evolved and progressed over the years, as an increasing number of people are becoming aware of the issue and becoming empowered to take part in the movement.
Salve Regina University is proudly one of those participants, as many areas on campus took initiative to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year.
One of these areas was the Social Work Department, who provided pink ribbons in the O’Hare Academic building for students, faculty, and staff to wear in spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
According to Doctor Luciani (RSM), the Head of the Social Work Department, the department decided to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month because of the prominence and impact that breast cancer has on society. “We have been doing this for many years- raising awareness and money for breast cancer survivors,” she said. “It is one of the most pressing health issues for women, and so it is important to address.”
Yet the Social Work Community did more than just encourage their peers to wear pink ribbons. On October 21, the Social Work Club partook in the 2012 “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk”, at the Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI.
According to Salve Today, the club sought to raise $1,000 to support the American Cancer Society, and accepted donations from the Salve Regina community. The donations were to help provide progress in ground-breaking Breast Cancer research.
The campus club VIRGO also made an effort to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a student-run organization that stands for “Volunteering in Reaching Out and Guiding Others”, the club members often focus their efforts into finding ways to promote compassion and charity in light of causes that deserve recognition. Breast Cancer Awareness month was no exception, as the club got together and planned a small event to honor the month.
On Monday, October 22, club members stationed themselves on the main floor of the O’Hare academic building. From 10am to 1:30 pm, the members encouraged Salve students, faculty, and staff to partake in a rather unique project. The project involved filling out paper cut-out brassieres, which were to be hung up in the building in a manner similar to a clothesline.
Many people partook in the activity, writing messages of inspiration, support, and love.
While the activity may appear silly and light-hearted at first glance, at its heart was an empowering theme meant to open people’s eyes. According to Faith Krevis, VIRGO’s secretary, the club decided to host the small event because, “It would be fun reaching out to students and putting the topic of breast cancer out there for the salve community.”
Salve Regina’s Nursing Department also expressed enthusiasm for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While they did not host any big events this year, they still encouraged awareness for the cause, and emphasized the importance of people educating themselves about the issue.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than just the month where people wear pink,” Said Doctor Janicki (M.S., R.N.), the Head of the Nursing Department. “Whenever people see an event that promotes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they should try to recognize the bigger picture-that breast cancer is a disease that afflicts many people year-round, and as a disease that can be curable if treated early, it is important for people to learn how to detect it.”
According to Janicki, getting screened correctly is one of the most effective preventive methods of care for breast cancer. Women ages 50 and older should get mammograms, which are effective in spotting signs of breast cancer.
One big issue that challenges this seemingly simple option is the financial limitations that deter many women from seeking proper medical care. To alleviate this problem, America should aspire to provide better access to health care, and reaching out to minority communities to help them get the treatment and prevention practices they need.
While there is still room for improvement, Janicki believes that America is headed on the right track towards guiding its citizens in taking the right preemptive measures against this disease. Research continues to be conducted, and Americans are recognizing Breast Cancer as an impending issue that is affecting numerous women.
“The subject of Breast Cancer goes beyond just the state of ‘being sick,’” said Janicki. “It also touches upon early prevention and detection. Through recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness month, we are focusing our energy in the right place-as we are arming women with essential knowledge against an impactful disease.”
